Related

For anyone who doubted these two could stand alone and thrive, well: BOOM POW in your face. Flex and Shanice parted ways this episode and both found success on their endeavors. The family’s camping trip is nearing when Flex gets a call from Charlie Murphy inviting him to go out to perform at Stand Up NY. This is the kind of call for which you drop everything and run. This leaves Shanice horrified about managing the camping trip on her own. The family packs up and hops in an RV, while Flex jumps on a flight.

If camping was made for anyone, it’s obviously for Uncle Spirit. Unique family dynamics always tug on our heartstrings, so hearing Ruba explain that Uncle Spirit isn’t his biological father, but is the man he considers a father, had me wiping tears off my cheeks. Spirit tells Ruba he needs to get more in tune with his spirit. Later, at the campsite, Ruba pitches his first tent and finds himself actually enjoying the experience that’s made him get more in touch with his inner self and bond with Uncle Spirit. Shanice manages the adventure just fine until those late-night wilderness noises start up. Right before her panic hits full throttle, Grandpa Mike admits it’s just him making them. Elijah spends most of the time recording everything, surely to send to his dad, whom he was missing.

Over on the east coast, Flex takes a stroll through his old neighborhood. We got to meet his brother Todd, who Flex refers to as his “ghetto twin” because they’re only a month apart but have different mothers. The two didn’t actually meet until they were 18 years old, but you’d never guess that given how close their relationship is. Before hitting the stage, he dines with Charlie Murphy, who affirms that a New York crowd is a tough crowd to please. Last time Flex did standup in New York he was 25, and that was almost 20 years ago. He nervously paces around until Murphy introduces him to the crowd. As expected, he has the crowd going the whole way through. Afterward, his buddy Charlie Murphy reassures him that he’s got it and encourages Flex to keep at it. Now that Flex’s gig is over, his mind and heart are back on missing his family.

He shouldn’t worry about them, though. They’ve made it through the night just fine, and head over to zipline the next day. Watching her kids motivates Shanice to do the zipline, and that really proves to her she can do this whole camping thing. She even says she wouldn’t mind doing it once a year. She doesn’t give herself enough credit: She made the camping trip perfect. Shanice shines in every kind of lead role! If there’s one thing we learned this episode, it’s that Elijah has his dad’s comedy chops, and we love it. From having the family act in a short horror film that he’s recording to scaring Shanice with a fake snake to his remarks during the confessional spots, this kid made this episode hilarious. Flex, get that boy to open up a standup show for you!

Expression Of JoyThe Brady Bunch: Groovy! The Bradys: Ritual hugging Married…With Children: ”Oh, great.” Thirtysomething: ”Of course I’m happy for you. Really. But what about me? Why does it always have to be about you? The Flintstones: ”Yabba-dabba doo

Expression Of Rage

The Brady Bunch: ”Hmmm…” The Bradys: ”If you back away from something you really want, then you’re a quitter!” (the angriest any Brady has ever been) Married…With Children: ”Aaagh, God, take me from this miserable life!” Thirtysomething: ”I’m not angry, OK?” The Flintstones: ”Willllmaaaa!”

Typical ProblemThe Brady Bunch: Marcia and her rival both want to be the prom queen. The Bradys: Bobby gets paralyzed. Married…With Children: Al doesn’t buy his family Christmas presents. Thirtysomething: Nancy gets cancer. The Flintstones: Fred and Barney are staying out too late.

Typical SolutionThe Brady Bunch: The prom committee decides to have two queens. The Bradys: Bobby gets married. Married…With Children: They hate him. Thirtysomething: If only we knew… The Flintstones: Wilma and Betty decide to follow them.

Attitude Toward SexThe Brady Bunch: Never heard of it The Bradys: Omigod — even Cindy does it! Married…With Children: Peg: Yes. Al: No. Thirtysomething: They didn’t get all those kids by accident. The Flintstones: Prehistoric

How Spouses FightThe Brady Bunch: They don’t. The Bradys: Infrequently, but it happens Married…With Children: Tooth and nail Thirtysomething: They stop talking The Flintstones: Fred and Barney go bowling while Wilma and Betty max out their charge cards.

How Kids Get Into TroubleThe Brady Bunch: Greg takes a puff of a cigarette. The Bradys: Carol’s grandson steals her business cards and sticks them in the spokes of Bobby’s wheelchair. Married…With Children: By committing felonies Thirtysomething: Ethan plays with a forbidden toy rocket. The Flintstones: They don’t.

How They’re Punished

The Brady Bunch: ”It’s not what you did, honey — it’s that you couldn’t come to us.” The Bradys ”Next time, ask.” Married…With Children: By the authorities Thirtysomething: It blows up in his face. The Flintstones: They’re not.

What Family Does For FunThe Brady Bunch: Takes special three-part vacations to Hawaii and the Grand Canyon The Bradys: Has flashbacks Married…With Children: Exchanges insults Thirtysomething: Talks The Flintstones: Attends showings of The Monster at the Bedrock Drive-In

Unsolved MysteriesThe Brady Bunch: How exactly did Carol’s first husband and Mike’s first wife die? The Bradys: What’s with Marcia’s new face and Bobby’s blonde hair Married…With Children: What kind of hair spray does Peg use? Thirtysomething: Why did Nancy take Elliot back? What do Gary and Susanna see in each other? The Flintstones: How does Barney’s shirt stay on if he has no shoulders? Where do Fred and Wilma plug in their TV?

Worst BehaviorThe Brady Bunch: The Brady children once made Alice feel under-appreciated.

Best Reason To WatchThe Brady Bunch: This is what life should be. The Bradys: They’re all grown-ups now! Married…With Children: Terry Rakolta hates it. Thirtysomething (Tie) This is your life. This isn’t your life. The Flintstones: This is what life might have been.

Best Reason Not To WatchThe Brady Bunch: Blurred vision from rerun overdoses. The Bradys: You’re all grown-ups now. Married…With Children: She has a point. Thirtysomething: After a while, you think it’s real. The Flintstones: The Simpsons